WASHINGTON — The Nationals , but before Adam LaRoche’s heroics, Bryce Harper almost got in hot water again.
On Saturday, Nationals manager Matt Williams benched the star for the duration of a game against the St. Louis Cardinals for not hustling to first after hitting a ground ball to the pitcher.
Harper was out on the play, and probably would have been out anyway. On Wednesday night against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, it was pure luck that his slow trot didn’t cost him and the team.
With the Nats trailing 3-1, Harper hit a grounder to Angels first baseman Albert Pujols and began to trot slowly to the bag. This time, however, Pujols mishandled the ball. Only then did Harper charge toward first.
Pujols’ throw to pitcher Joe Smith was off-target, and Harper made it to first safely. A good throw could well have gotten him, and people on Twitter immediately grasped the parallels.
I defended Harper, but he just saw for himself why you to 1st. Learn, Grasshopper.
— Roger Noriega (@rogernoriegaUSA)
When is Bryce gonna learn? His lax running almost cost him again.
— Geoff Tuck (@ffg_off)
I defended Harper, but he just saw for himself why you to 1st. Learn, Grasshopper.
— Roger Noriega (@rogernoriegaUSA)
Lesson not learned: Harper shuffles halfway to first, belatedly turns on jets when ball is dropped
— Marc Fisher (@mffisher)
Still not hustlin
— Paul Jenkins (@TheRealPJenkins)
RT “: That's why you run out grounders.”–> THIS x 100000000000000
— Scufflin' (@34sPompadour)
And THAT'S why you always run it out, Bryce. 馃槈
— Allison (@AllisonMY)
' LF Bryce Harper found another gear when he saw Albert Pujols misplay what should have been a groundout to 1st. E:3 instead.
— federalbaseball (@federalbaseball)
Figures that would happen to Bryce after the benching incident the other day
— Eli Hajjar (@thatguyEli17)
Harper just doesn't look like the same player this year. No hustle, no drive, not having fun–acts like he doesn't wanna be out there
— John Ladd (@jthorsen83)
The Nationals didn’t score in the inning.
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